The All-American Sock Book
Volume 8
Nomis Yarn Company
Original Copyright 1954
| ENTIRE DIGITALLY RESTORED LEAFLET IN .pdf FORMAT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE |
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IN AMERICA today socks of good quality are available to everyone. It takes only the whirr of giant machines and in minutes the socks come off the production line. But hand-knitted socks bear qualities that can never be duplicated – even by the most highly-developed machines. Socks knitted of fine materials and with great care have a sparkle that immediately labels them as hand-made.
There's a strange elemental kind of satisfaction derived from knitting something as basic as a pair of socks. We no longer live in the kind of world where a woman is judged by her ability to make the clothing worn by her family. Yet, the satisfaction from finishing a pair of handsome, durable socks for a member of the family or a special friend remains the same. It is impossible to knit socks without having a particular person in mind. The choice of color and pattern and, above all, the sizing makes every pair a custom-made job.
Although you will, no doubt, detect many influences in our designs – the European peasant heart and evergreen symbols, the British Fair Isle and Argyle motifs, for instance – these socks are essentially American. They have been designed to be worn on the playground, in the fraternity house, the ski lodge and the office. Even though many of the socks are quite novel in design, they are basic enough to remain in style for many years to come.
The most significant fact, however, is that not one of the socks in this book is difficult to knit. We have attempted to simplify the directions so that you will have pleasant knitting – and handsome socks.
CHOICE OF YARNS
To make your knitting easier and to increase the life of your socks, use wool yarn of good quality. Because of the durable nature of nylon, it is often used – at least in the heels and toes. This can be done most simply by carrying nylon sewing thread along with the yarn when you knit the heel and toe sections. Or, the entire heel and toe can be knitted of nylon yarn (available in small amounts at needlework stores).
KNITTING TO GAUGE
The number of stitches per inch of knitting is the gauge. It is indicated for each pair of socks at the beginning of the directions. To check your gauge, using the yarn and needles specified, knit a piece about four inches square in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row). Near the center of the piece check your gauge. If you have too few stitches per inch, you knit loosely and should use a size smaller needle. If you have too many stitches per inch, you are a tight knitter and should use a size larger needle.
READING CHARTS
Each square on the chart represents one stitch. Begin reading charts at lower edge and read up. If you are knitting the row, read from right to left; if purling, read from left to right.
READING SYMBOLS
[ ] – Brackets indicate change of size. Everything contained within the brackets pertains to the larger size, or sizes, listed at the beginning of each set of directions.
* – Asterisk means repeat the instructions following the asterisk as many times as specified in addition to the first time.
( ) – Parentheses mean repeat instructions in parentheses as many times as specified.
KNITTING WITH SEVERAL COLORS
When colors change back and forth every few stitches, use the Fair Isle method. Carry the color not being used along with the color being worked. Hold yarn being worked in right hand, yarn not being used in left hand on wrong side of work. Be sure to keep an even tension – not so tight that work puckers, nor so loose that loops of the carried yarn are on back of work. If the carried yarn is not being used for more than 4 stitches, catch it as follows: Put needle through the stitch in usual manner, but before taking yarn to knit or purl the stitch, slip right needle under the carried yarn. Finish stitch in the usual manner. When pattern is such that the colors occur in larger areas, join a new length of yarn for each color change. Wind yarn in small balls or on bobbins. To prevent holes in the work when using this method, twist yarns at every color change. Pass the yarn you are finished with over the new color and bring new yarn from under it.
KITCHENER STITCH
This method is suggested for weaving together the toe of a sock. Place stitches on the two foot needles on one needle. Hold this needle even and parallel to instep needle with yarn end coming from right end of back needle. Thread yarn end into a tapestry needle. * Insert tapestry needle through first stitch on front needle as if to knit and slip off stitch. Insert tapestry needle through second stitch as if to purl, but leave stitch on needle. Insert tapestry needle through first stitch of back needle as if to purl, and slip off stitch. Insert tapestry needle through second stitch of back needle as if to knit, but leave stitch on needle. NOTE: Always carry the yarn under the knitting needle, when passing from one needle to the other. Keep the stitches at the same tension as the knitted stitches. Repeat from * until all stitches are joined; fasten yarn.
SEWING THE SEAMS
Pin together edges of instep and foot. With yarn matching color of foot, sew each seam using a back stitch. Pin leg seams, matching all patterns. Use matching yarn and change color to conform to each pattern change. Start at heel and continue up to ribbing with back stitch. Join edges of ribbing with whipstitch.
ELASTICIZING THE CUFF
The cuffs may be elasticized as follows: Finish sewing leg seam. Thread a tapestry needle with fine elastic thread in a color matching cuff. Working on wrong side and starting ¼ inch from top, run thread through each knit rib around. Draw elastic to proper tension. Knot ends; cut. Repeat every ¼ inch for the depth of cuff.
BLOCKING
Dampen socks slightly. Place on metal sock forms and steam them with a moderate iron over a damp cloth. Hang up to dry. If no sock form is available, fold them down center front and back. Place socks on padded board and pin to shape, using rustproof pins. Steam them with a moderate iron over a damp cloth. Let dry.
DIRECTIONS FOR HEEL, FOOT AND TOE FOR ALL SOCKS KNITTED ON 80 STITCHES
With wrong side of work facing, arrange the two sets of 20 stitches each from holders on 1 needle and attach main color. Next row: Purl 4, * purl 2 together, purl 8. Repeat from * to within last 6 stitches, purl 2 together, purl 4 (36 stitches).
HEEL
Work in rows over the 36 heel stitches as follows: 1st row: * Slip 1, knit 1. Repeat from * across. 2nd row: Purl across. Repeat last 2 rows for 2 ½ inches, ending with a purl row.
TO SHAPE HEEL
1st row: Slip 1, knit 19, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn. 2nd row: Slip 1, purl 5, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. 3rd row: Slip 1, knit 6, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn. 4th row: Slip 1, purl 7, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. 5th row: Slip 1, knit 8, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn. 6th row: Slip 1, purl 9, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. 7th row: Slip 1, knit 10, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn. 8th row: Slip 1, purl 11, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. 9th row: Slip 1, knit 12, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn. 10th row: Slip 1, purl 13, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. 11th row: Slip 1, knit 14, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn. 12th row: Slip 1, purl 15, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. 13th row: Slip 1, knit 16, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn. 14th row: Slip 1, purl 17, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. 15th row: Slip 1, knit 18, knit 2 together, turn. 16th row: Slip 1, purl 18, purl 2 together, (20 stitches). Turn. Next row: Knit across; then pick up and knit 20 stitches across one side of heel. Following row: Purl across, then pick up and purl 20 stitches across other side of heel. Next row: Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch, knit to within last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. Following row: Purl across. Repeat last 2 rows until 36 stitches remain.
FOOT
Work even in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until foot measures the same as, instep, ending with a knit row.
Arrange all stitches of instep and foot on 3 double-pointed needles (1st needle = instep: 40 stitches; 2nd and 3rd needles: 18 stitches each). Work in rounds.
Next round: 1st needle: Knit 4, * knit 2 together, knit 8. Repeat from * to within, last 6 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 4. 2nd needle: Knit to end. 3rd needle: Knit to end. Continue in rounds without shaping until foot measures 2 ¼ inches less than desired length from heel.
TO SHAPE TOE
1st round: 1st needle: Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch, knit to within last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. 2nd needle: Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch, knit to end. 3rd needle: Knit to within last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1.
2nd round: Knit around. Repeat last 2 rounds until 20 stitches remain. Break off, leaving an 18 inch end. Join stitches with Kitchener Stitch. Join leg and instep seams.
Knitting Patterns
With beige yarn, cast on 76 stitches and divide them on 3 needles. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round), changing colors as follows: Work 12 rounds beige, 1 round black, 4 rounds brown, 1 round black, 2 rounds yellow, 1 round black, 3 rounds green, 1 round black, 4 rounds rust, 1 round black (1 stripe pattern completed). Repeat these 30 rounds once more. Continue with beige. (More)
With white yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 78 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Work pattern in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) as follows: 1st row: With white, knit across. Attach light gray. 2nd row: Purl 1 light gray, * purl 24 white, purl 2 light gray. Repeat from * across, ending with knit 24 white, knit 1 light gray. Starting with 3rd row of chart, repeat from A to B 3 times across row, until 46th row has been completed. With black work even until sock measures 8 inches from beginning, ending with a knit row. (More)
With beige yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 80 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Knit 1 row, purl 1 row. Work in pattern as follows. 1st row: Knit 4 beige, attach blue, * knit 4 blue, knit 9 beige. Repeat from * across, ending with knit 4 blue, knit 7 beige. 2nd row: Purl 4 beige, * purl 3 blue, purl 4 beige, purl 3 blue, purl 3 beige. Repeat from * to within last 11 stitches, purl 3 blue, purl 4 beige, purl 4 blue. (More)
Men's and Boys' Ski Socks with Cross-Bands
With white yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 64 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2 for 2 ½ inches. Work 3 rows in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row). Wind 1 bobbin of red, 1 bobbin of blue. Work in pattern as follows: 4th row (wrong side): Attach red, purl 1 red, with white purl to within last stitch, attach blue, purl 1 blue. Starting with 5th row, follow chart until 50th row has been completed. Break off white. Next row: Slip first 16 stitches on a stitch holder, rejoining white, work in pattern across next 32 stitches, turn. Place remaining 16 stitches on another stitch holder. (More)
With green yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 80 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Use a 45 inch length of rust for each diamond and a bobbin for each diagonal yellow line, Carrying green throughout entire sock, work in pattern as follows: 1st row: Knit 9 green, * attach a bobbin of yellow, knit 2 yellow, drop yellow, knit 18 green. Repeat from * across, ending with knit 2 yellow, knit 9 green. 2nd row: Purl 8 green, * attach another bobbin of yellow, purl 1 yellow, drop yellow, purl 2 green, purl 1 yellow, purl 16 green. (More)
Man's Cabled Socks with Squares
With gray and single-pointed needles, cast on 80 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Wind seven 15 inch lengths of yellow. Carrying gray throughout entire sock, work in pattern as follows: 1st row: Knit 5, * purl 1; to twist next 3 stitches, slip first stitch on left-hand needle on a toothpick and leave in front of work, knit next 2 stitches, then knit stitch off toothpick, purl 1, knit 8. Repeat from * across, ending with purl 1, twist 3, purl 1, knit 5. 2nd row: Purl 5, * knit 1, purl 3, knit 1, purl 5. Repeat from * across, ending with knit 1, purl 3, knit 1, purl 5. Repeat last 2 rows twice more. (More)
Men's and Boys' Fair Isle Sport Socks
With white yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 64 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 2 ½ inches. Work 6 rows in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row). Wind ten 15 inch lengths of rust and 2 bobbins of green. Carrying white throughout entire sock, work in pattern as follows: 1st row: Knit 16 white, attach green, knit 1 green, knit 30 white, attach green, knit 1 green, knit 16 white. 2nd row: Purl 15 white, purl 3 green, purl 28 white, purl 3 green, purl 15 white. (More)
Man's Gray Socks with Black and White
With gray yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 80 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Wind seven 15 inch lengths of white. Carrying gray and black, work in pattern as follows: 1st row: Attach a short length of white, knit 3 white, * knit 9 gray, attach another short length of white, knit 4 white. Repeat from * to within last 12 stitches, knit 9 gray, attach another short length of white, knit 3 white. 2nd row: Purl 3 white, * purl 9 gray, purl 4 white. Repeat from * to within last 12 stitches, purl 9 gray, purl 3 white. (More)
With beige yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 80 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Work in pattern as follows: 1st row: Attach bright blue, * knit 1 bright blue, knit 7 beige. Repeat from * across. 2nd row: Purl 1 bright blue, * purl 2 beige, purl 1 bright blue, purl 2 beige, purl 3 bright blue. Repeat from * across, ending with purl 2 beige, purl 1 bright blue, purl 2 beige, purl 2 bright blue. (More)
With blue yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 80 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Break off blue, attach black. Work in pattern as follows: 1st row: * With black purl 1, (slip next 2 stitches on a toothpick and leave in front of work, knit next 2 stitches, knit the 2 stitches off toothpick) twice; purl 1. Repeat from * once more. Drop black, attach blue, with blue knit 40 stitches, drop blue, attach another ball of black, with black work in cable pattern over remaining 20 stitches as for first 20 stitches on row. 2nd row: * With black knit 1, purl 8, knit 1. Repeat from * once. (More)
Cast on 80 stitches and divide them on 3 needles. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 2 inches. Work in pattern as follows:
1st round: * Purl 1, knit 6, purl 1. Repeat from * around. 2nd round: * Purl 1, slip next stitch on a toothpick and leave in front of work, knit next 3 stitches, knit the stitch on toothpick, knit 2, purl 1. Repeat from * around. 3rd round: Repeat first round. 4th round: * Purl 1, knit 2, slip next 3 stitches on spare needle and leave at back of work, knit next stitch, then knit the 3 stitches on spare needle, purl 1. (More)
Men's and Women's Ski Socks with Cabled Cuffs
With white yarn, cast on 64 stitches and divide them on 3 needles. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2 for 1 ¼ inches, then purl 8 rounds. Work another 1 ¼ inches in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2 (cuff completed). Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until sock measures 7 ½ inches from beginning.
Next round: 1st needle: Knit 16 stitches for heel. 2nd and 3rd needles: Slip next 32 stitches on 2 needles for instep. Slip remaining 16 stitches on first needle for heel. (More)
Cast on 64 stitches and divide them on 3 needles. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 1 inch. Work in pattern as follows:
1st round: * Purl 2, yarn over, knit 2 together, purl 2, knit 2nd stitch then first stitch on left-hand needle and slip both stitches off needle together. Repeat from * around.
2nd round: * Purl 2, knit 2. Repeat from * around. (More)
With red yarn, and single-pointed needles, cast on 78 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 1 ½ inches. Break off red, attach white. Work in pattern as follows:
1st row: (Purl 1, knit 2) 4 times; purl 2, knit 15, purl 2, (knit 2, purl 1) twice; knit 4, (purl 1, knit 2) twice; purl 2, knit 15, purl 2, (knit 2, purl 1) 4 times. 2nd row: (Knit 1, purl 2) 4 times; knit 2, purl 15, knit 2, (purl 2, knit 1) twice; purl 4, (knit 1, purl 2) twice; knit 2, purl 15, knit 2, (purl 2, knit 1) 4 times. (More)
Youngster's All-Over Design Socks
With color yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 66 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for ½ inch. Break off color, attach white. Continue in ribbing for 2 ½ inches more. Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row), then attach color and start pattern. Following chart for any of the three patterns and continuing in stockinette stitch, repeat the 11 stitches on first row of chart 6 times across row. Follow chart until 9th row has been completed. Break off color and work 3 rows in stockinette stitch, then start all-over pattern. (More)
With white yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 48 stitches, Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 72 inch. Break off white, attach blue. Continue in ribbing for 1 inch more. Increase 1 stitch at end of last row (49 stitches).
Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row), then start pattern. Attach white. 1st row: Knit 1 white, * knit 1 blue, knit 1 white. Repeat from * across. 2nd row: Purl 1 white, * purl 1 blue, purl 1 white. Repeat from * across. 3rd row: With blue, knit across. (More)
With white yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 52 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 3 inches. Increase 1 stitch at end of last row of ribbing. Drop white, attach red. Work in pattern as follows:
1st row: With red knit 1, * knit 3 stitches together but leave on left-hand needle, then purl and knit in same 3 stitches, knit 3. Repeat from * to within last 4 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, then purl and knit in same 3 stitches, knit 1. 2nd row: Purl across. Drop red. (More)
With blue yarn and single-pointed needles, cast on 48 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1 for 1 inch. Increase 1 stitch at end of last row (49 stitches). Break off blue, attach white. Work in pattern as follows:
1st row: Knit 1, * over, knit 2 together. Repeat from * across. 2nd row: Purl across. 3rd row: Purl 1, * over, purl 2 together, purl 2. Repeat from * across. 4th row: * Knit 3, purl 1. Repeat from * across, ending with knit 1. 5th row: Repeat 3rd row. (More)